Page 53 - Speedhorse October 2018

Our look at the win by Apocalyptical Jess will show
us that it isn’t just patience & persistence that can get you to the winner’s circle, but also how a dedicated breeding program plays a role in the scheme of things.
Apocalyptical Jess heads to the saddling paddocks before the big race.
Both non-qualifying runs. He broke his maiden in his All American Futurity trial. Ricky Ramirez rode the gelding to the fastest qualifying time of :21.349 on the first day
of the trials. He came into the All American finals with earnings of $6,400 and a record of one win and one second in the three starts.
Apocalyptical Jess came to post for
the finals as the 5-2 second choice in the wagering. He won the race by 1/2-length in :21.393 for the 440 yards. His jockey was Raul Ramirez Jr., who picked the mount up from qualifying jockey Ricky Ramirez.
The rest of the racing team for Apocalyptical Jess includes owner Bill T. Robbins, trainer Blane Wood and breeder Danny Joe Miller. Bill T. Robbins is the son- in-law of Danny Joe Miller. Robbins has been involved with racing since becoming a member of the Miller family. He reported to Ride TV host Tom Dawson that he was an overnight success after 27 years of trying to win the race. His runners had previously won $105,897.
Blane Wood, whose father won the 1979 All American Futurity with Pie In The Sky, has been pursuing his own All American dream having won his first Grade 1 stakes
in 1995. His runners had earned over $17 million, but never before had he won the All American Futurity. Wood went into the 2018 All American with three qualifiers, including 2018 Rainbow Futurity-G1 winner MM Fourinthemorning and Badhabit Jess.
Danny Joe Miller has been involved
with racehorses since 1978, having bred the earners of over $1.5 million. His involvement with the All American includes Have A Coronary, a 2004 All American qualifier who was 7th in the finals, and Takin On Spoon Man, the 11th fastest qualifier in 1999 who won the All American Consolation.
The racing history of these three men shows the patience and persistence needed to win the All American. A look at the Miller breeding program gives us the opportunity to see how one breeder’s persistence, patience and planning has paid off to achieve the All American dream.
SPEEDHORSE, October 2018 51
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